Goodness Weekly 11.28.22
“Look at everything as though you are seeing it either for the first or last time, then your time on earth will be filled with glory.”
― Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
What’s Good:
Recently we had the pleasure of hosting a cohort of ministers who are participating in a leadership program with Duke Divinity School. The group came from all over the country and represented 13 different denominations. They spent a day visiting different church communities in San Antonio, exploring the theme of Innovation within Tradition. Their day culminated at our campus where they got to spend devotional time in our chapel and hear from our Community Curator, Taylor Bates, and Discernment Team member, Kelly Alba share about the story of Sunset Ridge Church’s vision for Charis Collective. We then got to share a lovely meal together in our fellowship hall. We’re so honored to have had the opportunity to connect with this amazing group of people doing the good and challenging work of spreading goodness in our world.
All toys for Camelot Elementary are purchased!!
With the purchases from our Amazon Wishlist & monetary donations we will be able to provide Christmas gifts for the families of 100 children as well as gift cards for the 19 Afghani families at the school to purchase coats, shoes, and other basic necessities.
Today is the last day to sign up to be a presence at the big event with these families this weekend!
Please sign up using this link below
Childcare will be available for kids under 7
Message from Jess:
I climbed the bell tower!
I’ve considered doing it many times over the past nine years. Our team has been working to find out the what and how of getting our beautiful building back in working order and we’d recently unlocked the bell tower for a contractor. Noelle took it as an opportunity and declared, “We are going up.”
I am claustrophobic and if you’ve seen the bell tower you can imagine that inside of the narrow tower is an even more narrow set of iron spiral stairs that cause you to wind up, up, up to the first level. I remembered halfway up why I had said no every time before.
When we got to the first level we emerged into a small room that had a ladder for us to climb up to the top floor where the chimes are located. Despite the rumors it didn’t seem to be haunted, so that was good news.
When we got to the very top the view was overwhelmingly beautiful. You could see over the future park, the neighborhood, and all the way down to the city skyline. Air circled through and it was bright and full of wonder.
My perception was that I could never do the climb up. My perception was that I would be terrified at the top because it would be so high and creepy. My perception was changed because my perspective changed and we discovered yet another magical architectural gem on our beautiful property.
This week is the first of Advent and we are working through Scott Erickson’s book Honest Advent together. Each theme in our service comes from the prayer postures of Julian of Norwich, and this week’s theme was Await. Julian prayed: I await God’s presence, not as I expect, hope, or imagine, but just as it is in this moment—with hands cupped in front ready to receive the presence of God.
James tells us that God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. This God-with-us who came in the most vulnerable form is inviting each of us to a new perspective, to await a daring and thrilling call that leads us deeper into relationship with God and our neighbor.
I wonder what new perspective you are being invited into this week?
Take some time to sit, hands cupped, awaiting God’s presence, just as it is each morning.
May you receive nothing less than the goodness of our good God, and all of the hope of this first week of Advent.
Love - Jess
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, December 4th, 4:30pm Supper Church
Wednesdays at 7:30pm Youth Group at The Stirmans
Saturday, December 3rd, 8:30am - 12pm Camelot Elementary Affordable Christmas!
Saturday, December 10th, 9:30am - 12pm Christmas Work-Shop-Til-You-Drop
Morning:
In the sacred space
of Advent time
I await your presence
not as I hope
or imagine
but just as it is today
May I enter this day
without expectation
but grateful,
humble,
presence.
Amen.
Evening:
In the dark of night
I feel the wonder of you God,
the mystery & miracle of you,
the creator of the cosmos present
here—with me too.
I rest in the light of your love
Amen.
